We visited Asheville, North Carolina recently and trout is everywhere.

Our first night in the lovely city of Asheville, we ate at a downtown restaurant recommended by several friends. I had no idea Tupelo Honeywas a southern chain when we went, but that wouldn’t stop me from going back. The food was fabulous! We got the Sunburst Mountain Trout with Capers, Roasted Red Peppers and Spinach Buerne Blanc, served with Goat Cheese Grits (yum!), fresh asparagus and toasted almonds. The server told us we would see trout on many of the Asheville menus because mountain trout is caught locally about 25 minutes outside of town.

On our second night in Asheville, we ate dinner at the beautiful Grove Park Inn’s French-inspired Vue 1913. And because the trout was so local and fresh, I had to order the Pan Roasted Local Trout with stewed tomato compote, roasted spaghetti squash and saffon mussel cream with pepitas. I would not have thought to serve spaghetti squash with trout, but why not? Thefish was so fresh and tender and paired deliciously with the sqaghetti squash.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to visit Asheville again without order more trout. North Carolina trout, two ways… and both were delicious!

TELL US: Do you have a favorite trout recipe or restaurant dish?If so, please share. we’d love to hear from you!

Posted by Rima Kleiner, MS, RD